By LINDA ANDREWS

Decorations, shopping lists,
Searching for last minute gifts.

Downtown 'windows, crowded streets,
Tired arms and aching feet.

Mailing cards, hanging yours,
Lightly snowing out‑of‑doors.

Baking cookies, brewing tea,
Setting up the Christmas tree.

Cleaning, waxing, houses shine,
Filled faintly with the scent of pine.

Greeting people you don't know,
"Merry Christmas," not 'Hello."

Gifts arriving, making space,
The manger in its proper place.

Wooly mittens, snowball fights,
Carolers singing "Silent Night."

Hanging stockings on the mantle,
Milk and cookies left for Santa.

Remembering Christmases that have past,
Softly singing Midnight Mass.

The stroke of twelve, Jesus born,
All too sudden, Christmas morn.